Candidate bio: Mike Aguirre

Education: Bachelor of science, Arizona State University, 1971; law degree, University of California Berkeley, 1974; master’s in public administration, Harvard University, 1989

Elected office: San Diego city attorney, 2004-08

Party: Democratic

Other jobs: Former assistant U.S. attorney, private practice

Family: Two adult children, Emilie and Arthur

What he’s done: A former lawyer for labor leader Cesar Chavez, Aguirre has a long history of political activism through litigation. He has sued over voting rights issues and unsuccessfully to block Qualcomm Stadium’s expansion, among other things. He’s best known for his volatile four-year stint as city attorney. He railed against what he called illegal and excessive public-employee pensions and sued unsuccessfully to eliminate $900 million in retroactive benefits granted by city officials in 2002. He repeatedly accused pension board members and City Council members of impropriety and got into arguments with them during public hearings. Aguirre also issued 35 scathing reports about city finances and operations. In the end, his combative style contributed to him losing his 2008 re-election bid in a landslide. He’s currently in private practice.

What he’s promising: The No. 1 civic issue to Aguirre remains the city’s $2.3 billion pension deficit. He has repeatedly pointed out on the campaign trail that the city now pays more annually toward pensions ($275 million) than fire protection ($236 million). He has proposed underfunding the pension system and using that money toward road repairs and other infrastructure needs. Aguirre also said he would bring employee unions to the bargaining table and negotiate for lower pensions for current workers, a tall order for a man who is loathed by labor groups.

What supporters say: Aguirre has an engaging personality, a flair for debating and an encyclopedic knowledge of civic issues. He has refused to accept any large campaign contributions and therefore boasts that he’s the only candidate that won’t be beholden to special-interest groups favoring business and labor. He’s the only candidate talking about the city’s pension problems.

What critics say: Aguirre is mostly a one-issue candidate (pensions) without a realistic solution for how to fix the problem. His combative term as city attorney proves he can’t be trusted with a position of power despite his claim of being a changed man.

Notable supporters: Aguirre doesn’t have any big-name supporters but did receive the endorsement of La Prensa San Diego.

Mayoral candidate and former San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre was in the audience during the second mayoral debate at the Logan Heights Family Health Center, as he wasn't invite to participate.
— Howard Lipin

Former San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre answers a question during the first mayoral debate with City Council members David Alvarez and Kevin Faulconer. The debate was sponsored by the Asian Business Association of San Diego.
— Howard Lipin / UT San Diego

City Attorney Michael Aguirre touted a 1931 election piece that said a city attorney should "fearlessly protect interests of all San Diego . . . " and placed those words upon the wall of his office. K.C. ALFRED / Union-Tribune
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NELVIN CEPEDA / Union-Tribune City Attorney Michael Aguirre held a news conference yesterday in which he responded to the mayor's plan. He said that to "blindly go forward with the Kroll recommendations" would be inappropriate.
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